The Ultimate Cleaning Supply Checklist for a Tidy Space

There are tons of cleaning products and supplies at local stores and online, and it can be tough to decide which ones you should have on hand. You need to know which cleaning materials can safely be used on which surfaces. You also need to know how to use them properly to thoroughly clean your house. What are the top cleaning materials you need?

FREE Printable Cleaning Supplies Checklist

What Cleaning Products Does Every House Need?

While you need a clean house, you shouldn’t have to spend a small fortune on dozens of cleaning products. There are numerous specialized cleaning products available to clean very specific areas of your home. However, many products can clean multiple surfaces and areas effectively. A closer look reveals the essentials that your home should be stocked with.

Essential Cleaning Supplies for Every Home

All-purpose Cleaner

While you could buy a special cleaning spray for the kitchen counters, windows, mirrors, tub and more, there are all-purpose cleaners that are effective for all of these jobs. The ingredients in these products vary, so carefully read the label before using any cleaning product.

Disinfectant Spray or Wipes

Disinfecting your home is essential for a healthy living environment. The most convenient way to kill germs is to use a disinfectant spray or wipes. These can be used on many types of counters, faucets, knobs and handles.

Glass Cleaner

Your glass tabletops, cabinet inlays, mirrors and windows are prone to smudges and streaks. Glass cleaner is specifically designed to cut through the grease and grime.

Microfiber Cloths

Many types of cloths capture minimal dirt. When you use them to dust, they sweep the particles into the air and on the floor. When you clean glass with them, they leave behind streaks and fabric fibers. Microfiber cloths hold dust, so more filth is removed. They are also helpful for a streak-free shine on glass.

Sponges and Scrub Brushes

Sponges are needed to clean areas that could be damaged by abrasive brushes. In addition, a hard-bristle scrub brush is necessary to tackle tough messes. It’s also helpful to have a toothbrush on-hand to clean smaller, difficult-to-reach areas. When it comes to cleaning the toilet, you need a dedicated brush for this purpose to avoid spreading germs to other areas of the house.

Specialized Cleaning Supplies

Bathroom Cleaners

Bathrooms often have special challenges that are not problematic in other areas. For example, they may have soap scum, hard water stains and mildew. Special bathroom cleaning products are designed to cut through these substances.

Kitchen Cleaners

Sinks, Kitchen counters, and other surfaces are gathering places for crumbs and germs like Salmonella, E. coli and others. Kitchen cleaners are designed to disinfect these surfaces. Choose a kitchen cleaner that is safe for use on the materials in your space.

Floor-specific Cleaners

Your floors can be damaged if you do not use the right cleaning products. For example, natural stone can be damaged by acidic cleaning agents. Select floor cleaners that are suitable for the types of floors in your home.

Laundry and Fabric Fresheners

Fabric can hang onto foul smells, creating an unpleasant smell throughout your house. Laundry and fabric fresheners create the pleasant, fresh scent that you want your clean laundry to have. Sprays are available for use on upholstered furnishings and carpet as well. You can even use laundry dryer sheets to clean the dust off of baseboards and windowsills.

Tools and Equipment

Vacuum Cleaner

If you have carpet and area rugs, a vacuum cleaner is an essential tool. A vacuum with a handheld attachment is also helpful for cleaning upholstery and underneath furniture that is difficult to move.

Broom and Dustpan

Your broom and dustpan may be used daily to keep your floors clean in between mopping sessions. In addition, your floor will be cleaner after mopping if you pre-clean it with a broom.

Mop and Bucket

Hard floor surfaces must be mopped regularly. There are several types of mops to choose from, such as string, flat, sponge and others. These all require you to have a bucket for soapy water and a second bucket for clean water. If you choose a steam mop, you don’t need a bucket.

Duster or Dusting Wand

Dust lands on surfaces throughout your home, including in higher and difficult-to-reach areas. A duster or dusting wand is specifically designed to capture dust rather than sweep it aside. It can also remove dust bunnies and cobwebs.

Cleaning Caddy or Organizer

A cleaning caddy or organizer holds all of your essential cleaning supplies. This makes it faster and easier to clean as you move from room to room.

Eco-friendly and DIY Cleaning Alternatives

Vinegar & Baking Soda

This powerful duo removes soap scum, cleans laundry, mops the floors, and more. Vinegar is an acidic substance that can tackle many types of germs. Baking soda is an abrasive substance that has whitening and odor-fighting properties. When combined together in a paste, a chemical reaction occurs that enhances their cleaning power.

Lemon and Essential Oils

Lemon and essential oils can be added to vinegar cleaning solutions and pastes to improve the smell. Like vinegar, lemon is an acidic substance that has cleaning power. You can use it as an alternative to vinegar.

Homemade Cleaner Recipes

Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, essential oils and liquid dish soap are common ingredients in most homemade cleaner recipes. You can store many of these cleaning solutions for use in the weeks ahead.

Safety and Storage Tips

Proper Storage

Many types of cleaning products have specific storage instructions related to temperature, humidity and exposure to light. In addition to following the products’ instructions for storage, keep your cleaning products out of reach of pets and children.

Labels and Expiration Dates

Many store-bought cleaning products contain harmful chemicals. Read the product label on each bottle to learn about the safe uses of the product and what to do if the product gets on your skin or in your eyes. Use some products only in well-ventilated spaces, as they emit toxic fumes. In addition, the effectiveness of these products fades after the expiration date. Pay attention to these dates, and replace the products as needed.

Safety Precaution

Cleaning products can cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory distress, lightheadedness and other issues. When cleaning, increase ventilation in your home. Wear cleaning gloves. Take care to avoid splashing or spraying the products on yourself.

You need many products and supplies to clean your home from top to bottom. Instead of lugging all of those items from room to room as you clean, you can take the easier route to a healthy living environment. TidyHere is the #1 Boston house cleaning & maid service, and our pros are excited to give you the clean home that you want. Schedule service with us today.